Summary

This enactment establishes the office of the Veterans’ Ombudsman and provides a mandate and a legislative framework for the Ombudsman to review certain matters relating to veterans and other clients, the exercise of the powers, duties and functions of the Minister of Veterans Affairs under the Department of Veterans Affairs Act and systemic issues that relate to the operation of the Veterans Review and Appeal Board.

Mr. Speaker, this is a bill of which I am very proud. It is in regard to support for our veterans and peacekeepers.

Too many veterans are denied benefits and former peacekeepers have been abandoned. We see the evidence of this with the many homeless veterans and people who depend on food banks.

In regard to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, it is important to have qualified members on the board, people with medical credentials and also individuals who have served in the Canadian Forces because they have experience of the reality of CF personnel.